The world of billionaires is fascinating but it also reveals some surprising differences between men and women especially when it comes to how they build their wealth. While the number of billionaires has grown over the years a big question remains- why are there so few self made women billionaires compared to men and why do more women inherit their fortunes instead of creating them? This gap is real and it tells us a lot about opportunities, challenges and society itself.
The Numbers Tell a Story
First let’s look at the facts. Globally there are far more male billionaires than female ones. In 2022 only about 12.5% of the world’s billionaires were women-that’s around 399 out of 3194 according to research. But the real difference shows up when we look at how they got their money. Studies show that nearly two thirds of male billionaires are self made meaning they built their wealth through their own businesses or ideas. For women it’s a different picture:- less than one fourth are self made and about 45% inherited their fortunes. This is a huge contrast. Among the top 10 richest men, almost all are self made like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos. But for women the top names—like Alice Walton or Françoise Bettencourt Meyers—often come from family wealth.
So why does this gap exist? There are a few big reasons, and they are tied to how the world works for men and women differently.
Opportunities Aren’t Equal
One major reason is that men and women don’t get the same chances to build wealth from scratch. Historically men have had more access to education, business networks and funding. Starting a company takes money and men are more likely to get investments from banks or venture capitalists. Women on the other hand often face bias. People might assume they are less capable or less serious about business even if they have great ideas. This makes it harder for women to turn their dreams into billion dollar companies.
Think about industries where billionaires are made like technology or manufacturing. These fields have long been male dominated. Men like Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg had the chance to jump into tech early and grow massive companies. Women even today are underrepresented in these areas. Without the same starting line it’s tougher for women to become self made billionaires.
Family and Society Play a Role
Another big factor is family responsibilities. In many parts of the world women are expected to take care of the home and kids more than men. This can limit their time and energy for building a business. Men on the other hand often have more freedom to focus on work because someone else—usually a woman—is handling things at home. Studies show that mothers are less likely to stay in the workforce full time compared to fathers who actually work more after having kids. This “fatherhood bonus” gives men an edge while women face a “motherhood penalty.”
Inheritance also ties into family traditions. Wealthy families often pass money down through generations and women are more likely to inherit than to start from zero. For example a daughter might get a fortune from her parents like the Walmart heiress Alice Walton. Men, however are more often encouraged to go out and make their own mark which leads to more self made male billionaires.
The Confidence and Risk Factor
Building a billion dollar empire takes risk and research suggests men are more likely to take those risks. Starting a company means betting on yourself sometimes with no guarantee of success. Men tend to have higher confidence in these situations partly because society supports them more. Women, meanwhile, might hesitate—not because they are less capable but because they face more obstacles and less encouragement. If you are told all your life that certain paths aren’t for you, it’s harder to take that leap.
A Few Bright Spots
Despite the challenges some women do break through. Take Oprah Winfrey, who built a media empire from nothing or Zhou Qunfei, who started a touchscreen company in China and became a billionaire. These stories are inspiring,but they are rare. Interestingly one country stands out: the United States. It’s the only place where self made women billionaires outnumber those who inherited wealth. This might be because the U.S. has a strong culture of entrepreneurship and more women in business leadership though the gap with men is still wide.
Why It Matters
This gap is not just about numbers—it affects everyone. When most billionaires are men they hold more power to shape economies, policies and even culture. Women’s voices, especially those who have fought their way up bring different perspectives that could make the world fairer. Plus the wealth gap trickles down. Women who don’t build billion dollar fortunes often earn less over their lifetimes leaving them with less to pass on or invest.
Closing the Gap
So, how do we shrink this divide? It starts with equal opportunities. Girls need access to education and mentors who believe in them. Businesses should fund women’s ideas as much as men’s. Governments can help too with policies like parental leave for both parents so women are not forced to choose between family and career. And society needs to cheer women on when they take risks not just expect them to inherit or stay small.
The gap between self made and inherited women billionaires compared to men shows how much work is still needed. It’s not that women can’t succeed—they have proven they can. But the world hasn’t made it easy for them yet. As more women get the chance to chase their dreams we might see more self made billionaires in skirts balancing out a list that’s been mostly suits for too long.